Emma Zarriello, a Chase High School senior, was chosen to advance to the program finals for Morehead-Cain class of 2015.

The Morehead-Cain Scholarship is the oldest and most prestigious merit-based scholarship program in the United States, offering a four-year undergraduate scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Morehead-Cain nominees must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, possess high moral character and participate in rigorous physical activity. Only 7 percent of this year’s applicants world-wide were selected as finalists. Final selections will be announced in March.

Zarriello is the granddaughter of Lester and Sylvia Backus of Morgan Chapel Village in Columbus, and daughter of Debra Backus, Steps to HOPE’s publicity/public relations coordinator.